Pangasinan remains ASF-free

By September 24, 2019Headlines, News

PANGASINAN remains free from African Swine Fever (ASF).

Dr. Jovito Tabajeros, provincial veterinarian, confirmed there are no reports reaching him about the incidence of unusual deaths of hogs cdue to illness in the province.

In an interview Friday, Tabajeros said swine stakeholders and livestock handlers were gathered late last week to reiterate the temporary total ban on the entry of swine in the province and asked their cooperation for the safety of the hog industry.

Meanwhile, Tabajeros assured there is enough supply of pork in the province and urged the public to continue to eat pork meat as it is safe.

“We assure the public that there is no ASF in the province at present, thus, it is safe to eat pork,” he said.

He said the executive order of Gov. Amado Espino III issued on Sept. 10 for a temporary total ban on the entry of all swine/pigs from other provinces going to Pangasinan, is serving the province well.

Tabajeros said close monitoring on the entry of swine by checkpoints in strategic places strictly implementing the order continue, requiring a veterinary health certificate from swine owners before they process the animal, and there are meat inspectors and the market administrators to ensure no ASF-affected swine will be brought or sold in our markets.

There are now 14 (from 12) checkpoint entries and backdoors in Carmen and Coliling Guiling, Rosales- San Manuel, Tarlac; Diaz Talogtog in Umingan -Nueva Ecija border; Mangatarem- Camiling, Tarlac; Bayambang -Tarlac ; Infanta-Sta. Cruz, Zambales; Sison-La Union; San Fabian-La Union; Salvacion, Balungao-Nueva Ecija; TPLEX Urdaneta, TPLEX Binalonan and TPLEX Pozorrubio.

He added that even the delivery truck of feeds companies are also required to disinfect their trucks before they could enter the province.

He reiterated his appeal to backyard piggery growers that anything unusual observed on their animals, to immediately have blood samples tested in the province’s animal laboratory in Sta. Barbara town.

Unlike in other areas where there are dead pigs dumped in rivers, Tabajeros said nothing of that kind has been reported in Pangasinan.

Tabajeros said more than 30 trucks have already been intercepted and were asked to return to their points of origin the livestock they carried. (Nora Dominguez, Helen Martin/PhiStar Wire Service)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments